Netgear nighthawk XR300 VS XR500 – a detailed comparison

Nighthawk gaming routers are considers some of the best routers because they stabilize ping, and navigate lag spikes. Click on the Netgear nighthawk XR300 VS XR500 for a detailed comparison

Any home router model can be used to play online games since you only need an internet requirement. However, routers made to prioritize gaming can offer users better gaming experience with low lag, low performance and low ping. Netgear is known for creating all types of routers, including high end gaming routers. The Netgear nighthawk XR500 is popular in the gaming world, but how does the XR300 model compare? While promising similar functions, these two routers are different in many ways. Read the Netgear nighthawk XR300 VS XR500 comparison to find out more.

What are the key differences between Netgear nighthawk XR300 and XR500?

Model
Netgear nighthawk XR300
Netgear nighthawk XR500 (Winner) 
RAM
512 MB
512 MB
Gaming DDOS and VPN protection
Yes
Yes
Cpu
1 Ghz dual-core
1.7 Ghz dual-core
Games it can support
Fortnite, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Overwatch, PubG, CS:GO
Call of Duty (Black Ops 4), Fortnite, PubG, Overwatch, CS:GO, Smash Bros
Wired LAN ports
4 Gigabit
4 Gigabit
Wireless wifi speed 
1.7 gbps
2.6gbps
MU-MIMO
NO
YES
Availability

 

Netgear nighthawk XR300 vs XR500 – How do they differ?

Design

The Nighthawk XR500 Pro Gaming Router has a unique design, especially made for gamers. This router is shaped like a spaceship and gives a nice aesthetic which is pleasing for gamers. This router has a cut-out on the front that makes it look like a real life spaceship. Unfortunately, this wedge shaped router does not have a fan which means it gets very warm during use.

The LED lights on the front of the router create v shaped lights to make the designed even more realistic and good looking. The lights are for power, internet, Ethernet ports as well as USB ports and guest network indication. On the back of this router are LAN and WAN ports.

The shape on the Netgear XR300 is very distinctive. The rare design of this router makes it standout from the XR500. Unlike the Netgear XR500, this router has 3 antennas which are attached to the backside of the router. However, their placement can be a little inconveniencing when it comes to placement and installation of the router.  Like the XR500, this router also has an line up of led lights and analogue buttons on the front.

The two routers have very different designs, with the XR500 having 4 antennas distributed on the side while the XR300 has only 3 fitted at the back of the antenna.  The xr500 looks better than the xr300

Performance

The XR500 is considered a powerhouse and is rated at ac2600. The Netgear XR500 is the best for gamers. The peak throughput of 1714.4mbpos at 15 feet makes it very powerful.  You can maximize performance and minimize ping with its 1.7 GHz dual core processor, wired connectivity and Gigabit Ethernet ports.

The processor keeps the speeds reliable and consistent, supporting 4k streaming, surging VR gaming and more. The powerful Wi-FI transmission on this router makes it perfect for people who have thick walls.

The Netgear XR300 is powered by a 1 GHz dual core processor. Its abilities can be applied to gaming as well as streaming content. It is equipped with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a single WAN port so you can connect to your modem.  The Netgear XR500 can sustain speeds of up t 500mbps while the XR300 can go up to 300mbps.

When it comes to software, both the Netgear XR500 and XR300 have similar features. The Netgear nighthawk router comes with 512mb or ram and 256mb of flash storage space. The XR500 also has several speeds boosting software including Netduma’s DumaOS software which allows for fast connection and streaming as well as personalised configurations and settings.

In terms of speed, the Netgear XR500 is better. It can sustain speeds of up to 500mbs on the 5 GHz when devices are connected.

Netgear nighthawk XR300 VS XR500 – A Comparison Overview

The Netgear pro gaming XR300 overview

NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR300 WiFi Router with 4 Ethernet Ports and Wireless speeds up to 1.75 Gbps, AC1750, Optimized for Low ping (XR300)
  • Minimize ping and maximize performance with four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag-free, wired...
  • Amp up your WiFi with AC1750 dual-band router that delivers blazing fast speeds up to 1.75 Gbps

The Netgear pro gaming XR300 is known for its great gaming performance. With this router, you don’t have to deal with problems like high ping, lag spikes, dropouts and unstable connections. The router comes with a low profile design that has sharp edges and three antennas at the back. The sides and back feature vents that allow the router to maintain a convenient temperature when in use. You can wall mount of shelf the router depending on what you want. The router features 1 WAN port, 1 3.0 USB port and 4 gigabit ports.

You can now optimize your gaming performance with the help of the Netgear XR300 pro gaming router. It has the capability of up to 1750Mb of Wi-FI throughput and its dual band feature supports the Wi-FI 5 wireless standard. This router is equipped with three external antennas, four gigabit LAN ports and one gigabyte Ethernet WAN port. The gigabit LAN ports are ideal for gaming consoles, pc and wired connections.

This router allows external storage through DNLA and UPnP. The Geo-Filter feature on the router blocks far connections ensuring you get a good ping. You can also set parental controls, monitor the devices connected and make network changes. The XR3000 can potentially reduce the gaming latency by working to prioritize your network traffic.

Pros

  • Prioritized online gaming traffic
  • Easy network configuration
  • Easy to tweak ping, lag and local connections
  • Has 4 Ethernet LAN ports
  • Works with X-box, play station and Nintendo

Cons

  • Slow network performance

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Netgear nighthawk XR500 – Overview

NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 Wi-Fi Router with 4 Ethernet Ports and Wireless Speeds Up to 2.6 Gbps, AC2600, Optimized for Low Ping
  • Minimize ping and maximize performance with four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag free, wired...
  • Amp up your Wi-Fi with AC2600 dual band router that delivers blazing fast speeds up to 2.6 Gbps

The Netgear XR500 is the perfect router for gamers looking to customize their experiences and gain complete control of their home network. The dual band Wi-FI of this Netgear XR500 enables users to get an overall smoother service when multiple devices are connected. It is equipped with 5 gigabit Ethernet ports, (one reserved), simultaneous dual band Wi-Fi , fast speeds and supports 5Ghz streaming plus a dual core processor for fast Wi-FI speeds

THE DUMAOS gaming software on this router provides features that enable more control. There are tons of ways you can customize your home network with in debt gaming tools, parental control and standard network settings. The recommended maximum radius for this router is between 3000 to 1800 miles depending on how many networks are attached.

The QoS setting allows you to limit the bandwidth used by other connected gaming devices. You can manage the network traffic to prioritize bandwidth across a wide range of devices. On the Netgear nighthawk XR500, the QoS stands out because it is able to monitor traffic and streak the priority.

Pros

  • Good extra features for gamers
  • Has good close range throughput
  • Good software performance

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Raw performance could be better

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Conclusion: So, Which is better – Netgear ac3200 vs. Linksys ac3200? (100)

The Netgear nighthawk xr500 is the clear winner in this comparison. Overall, it has better features as well as performance when compared to the XR300. While it is the more expensive model, it has better sped, better range and maintains its speed better. The Netgear nighthawk XR500 can sustain speed of up to 500mbps on its 5 GHz at midrange. It also has MU-MIMO which gives users the ability to share the same SSID and appear as a single network.

FAQ

Does the Netgear ax500 interface allow you to control the router’s signal strength?

Yes, users are able to lower signal output for both frequencies.

Is the ax500 compatible with PS4?

Yes, the Netgear x500 works at a great range with the ps4. You can dedicate your Wi-FI to your ps4 to make the connection stronger when you are not close range.

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